Handel’s tale of intrigue and impropriety in ancient Rome
receives its first Met performances, with star mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato as
the controlling, power-hungry Agrippina and Harry Bicket conducting. Sir David
McVicar’s production ingeniously reframes the action of this black comedy about
the abuse of power to “the present,” where it should loudly resonate. The
all-star cast features mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey as Agrippina’s son and future
emperor Nerone, soprano Brenda Rae as the seductive Poppea, countertenor Iestyn
Davies as the ambitious officer Ottone, and bass Matthew Rose as the weary
emperor Claudius.
This production was originally created by the Théâtre Royal
de la Monnaie / De Munt Brussels and adapted by the Metropolitan Opera
Production a gift of Dunard Fund USA